Cap for Container and Packaged Product Having the Same

ABSTRACT

A cap (100) for a container (120) is provided. The cap (100) may include a skirt (102) component and a seal component (104). The skirt (102) component is formed of a metal material and includes an annular outer sidewall (103) defining a skirt cavity (123) that extends along a skirt axis and has an open bottom end (107). The seal component (104) is formed of a plastic material and includes an annular seal sidewall (111) having a threaded inner surface (108) configured to mate with a threaded outer surface of a neck of a container body (120). The annular seal sidewall (111) may define a neck cavity (113) having a closed top end (104) and an open bottom end (115) for receiving the neck of the container (124). The seal component (104) may be mounted to the skirt (102) component and/or located within the skirt cavity (123) so that the annular outer sidewall (103) of the skirt component (102) circumscribes the annular seal (111) sidewall of the seal component (104).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/083,285, filed Sep. 25, 2020, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Containers are used for storing and dispensing a wide range of products.Such products include adhesives, lubricants, lotions, medicants,shampoos, hair dressings, and various oral care products, liketoothpaste and mouthwash. The products are typically withheld withinsuch containers via caps having various form factors. Such caps includeplastic twist-on caps. What is desired is a cap having a metal look andfeel while exhibiting twist-on capabilities. Such a device would providethe look and feel provided by a metal, while also providing thepractical application provided by a twist-on cap.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention may be directed to a double walled cap. Anexternal wall of the cap may be formed of a metal material, and aninternal wall of the cap may be formed of a plastic material. Theinternal wall of the cap may be an insert that may be removed from thecap. The insert may include interior threading and/or may providesealing integrity (e.g., to prevent and/or reduce fluid from enteringand/or exiting the container. In an example, the cap may be formed byhaving a stamped metal exterior assembled with a plastic molded interiorportion. The plastic threaded portion may have lugs that match up withthe stamped metal to form a friction fit for a secure assembly and/ormay provide anti-rotation. The plastic portion may provide the sealintegrity and the metal exterior may provide a desired aesthetic.

In an aspect, the invention may be a cap coupled to a container. The capmay include a skirt component and/or a seal component. The skirtcomponent may be formed of a metal material. The skirt component mayinclude an annular outer sidewall defining a skirt cavity that extendsalong a skirt axis and has an open bottom end. The seal component may beformed of a plastic material. The seal component may include an annularseal sidewall having a threaded inner surface configured to mate with athreaded outer surface of a neck of a container body. The annular sealsidewall may define a neck cavity having a closed top end and an openbottom end for receiving the neck of the container. The seal componentmay be mounted to the skirt component and/or located within the skirtcavity so that the annular outer sidewall of the skirt componentcircumscribes the annular seal sidewall of the seal component.

In another aspect, the invention may be a container. The container mayinclude a container body and a cap. The container body may have a bodyportion and/or a neck. The body portion may define a product chamber.The neck may have a threaded outer surface and/or may define apassageway into the product chamber. The cap may be coupled to thecontainer body via threaded engagement between the threaded outersurface of the neck and the threaded inner surface of the cap so thatthe seal component seals the passageway. The neck may be, at least,partially located within the neck cavity of the cap.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be a packaged product. Thepackaged product may include a container and/or a material (e.g., oralcare material) in the product chamber of the container

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example cap coupled to acontainer, as described herein;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an example cap, as described herein;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the example cap of FIG. 2 in whichan inner portion of the cap is removed, as described herein;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the example cap of FIG. 2 , asdescribed herein;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the example cap of FIG. 2 inwhich an inner portion of the cap is removed, as described herein;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the example cap of FIG. 2 , as described herein;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the example cap of FIG. 2 , as describedherein;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the example cap of FIG. 7 , asdescribed herein;

FIG. 9 is a side view an example cap coupled to another container, asdescribed herein; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the example cap coupled to theother container of FIG. 9 , as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

The present invention may be directed to a cap (e.g., double walled cap)that couples to a container, as described herein. The container may havemultiple layers. An external wall of the double walled cap may be formedof one or more materials, such as a metal material. An internal wall ofthe cap may be formed of one or more materials, such as a plasticmaterial. The internal wall of the cap may be an insert that may beremovable from the exterior portion of the cap. The insert may includeinterior threading. The insert may provide sealing integrity which may,for example, prevent and/or reduce fluid from entering and/or exitingthe container. In an example, the cap may be made and/or formed of astamped metal assembled with a plastic molded interior portion. Theplastic threaded portion may have lugs that match up with the stampedmetal to form a friction fit for a secure assembly and/or may provideanti-rotation. The plastic portion may provide coupling features and/orseal integrity and the metal exterior may provide a desired aesthetic.

FIGS. 1 and 9 show an example cap (such as cap 100) coupled to anexample container (such as container 120). Cap 100 may have a skirtcomponent 102, a closed top end 104, and/or a skirt end wall 172. Cap100 may be coupled to the container 120 via a threading. The container120 may define an internal volume, which may be filled with any flowablematerial or product (e.g., adhesives, lubricants, lotions, medicants,shampoos, hair dressings, oral care products (such as toothpaste ormouthwash), edible products (such ketchup or pickles), and othermaterials that are typically dispensed via a container). The internalvolume of the container 120 may be any volume capable of storingflowable material, but preferably should be a volume that consumers findacceptable for day-to-day use. Cap 100 may be configured to preventand/or slow the flow of the material from container 120. Although FIG. 1shows container as an example mouthwash container, and FIG. 9 showscontainer as an example toothpaste container (e.g., tube), it should beunderstood that these examples are for illustration purposes only andare not intended to be limiting.

FIGS. 2-7 show different views of an example cap 100 in which cap 100 isseparated from a container. As shown on FIG. 3 , cap 100 may include askirt component 102 and/or a seal component 106 positioned therein. Inan example, the seal component 106 may be centered within the skirtcomponent 102, although in other examples the seal component 106 may beoffset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the cap 100. Theskirt component 102 may be formed of a metal material, such as aluminum,steel, or another metal used in consumer products. In examples skirtcomponent 102 may be (e.g., also be) formed of another material (such asa plastic) and the metal may be formed around the other material. Asshown on FIGS. 2 and 3 , the skirt component 102 may include a sidewall,such as an annular outer sidewall 103. Outer sidewall 103 may have anouter surface and an inner surface (e.g., inner surface 105 of annularouter sidewall 103; FIG. 4 ).

The annular outer sidewall 103 may define a skirt cavity 123 (FIGS. 4, 5). Skirt cavity 123 may extend along a skirt axis SA (FIG. 3 ). Inexamples skirt cavity 123 may have an open bottom end 107. Open bottomend 107 may be formed by annular outer sidewall 103 in examples. Thecircumference of open bottom end 107 may be greater than thecircumference of annular outer sidewall 103, less than the circumferenceof annular outer sidewall 103, or the same as the circumference ofannular outer sidewall 103. The open bottom end 107 may be configured toreceive a portion of a container, such as container 120. For example,open bottom end 107 may be configured to receive a neck of a container,a neck and shoulders of a container, and the like.

Cap 100 may include seal component 106. Seal component 106 may be formedof one or more types of materials. For example, seal component 106 maybe formed of one or more of a plastic material, a metal material, andthe like. Seal component 106 may be shaped in one or more form factorsthat may include a sidewall and an end wall. Seal component 106 may beshaped in an annular, squared, triangular, etc., manner. In the examplein which the seal component 106 is shaped in an annular manner, the sealcomponent 106 may include an annular seal sidewall 111.

The sidewall of the seal component 106 (e.g., annular seal sidewall 111of seal component 106) may have a threading. The threading may belocated on an inner surface of annular seal sidewall 111, such asthreaded inner surface 108, although in examples the threading may beformed in one or more locations of annular seal sidewall 111, such as onan exterior surface of annular seal sidewall 111. The threaded surface(e.g., threaded inner surface 108) may be configured to mate with athreaded surface of a container, such as threaded outer surface of aportion of a container. For example, the threaded inner surface 108 maybe configured to mate with a threaded outer surface 128 of a neck 124 ofa container body 140 (FIG. 10 ).

As shown on FIG. 4 , the annular seal sidewall 111 may define a cavity(e.g., neck cavity 113). The neck cavity 113 may have a closed top end104 (FIG. 3 ) and/or an open bottom end 115 (FIG. 4 ). The open bottomend 115 may be configured to receive a container, such as the neck 124of container 120. The seal component 106 may be coupled (e.g., mounted)to the skirt component 102, although in examples the seal component 106and the skirt component 102 may be formed of a single component. Theseal component 106 may be located within skirt component 102. Forexample, seal component 106 may be located within the skirt cavity 123.In such examples, the annular outer sidewall 103 of the skirt componentmay circumscribe the annular seal sidewall 111 of the seal component106.

The skirt component 102 may be formed of a stamped metal materialcomponent, as described herein. The metal material may be any type ofmetal that may be used for a cap, such as aluminum, steel (e.g.,tinplate steel), and the like. The seal component 106 may be formed ofan injection molded plastic material component. For example, the sealcomponent 106 may be formed of polypropylene, polyethylene, and thelike. The seal component 106 may be injection molded separately from theskirt component 102 and/or friction fit into the skirt component 102.The skirt component 102 and/or the seal component 106 may be a singularmonolithic component.

As shown on FIG. 3 , the skirt component 102 and/or the seal component106 may include an interference element. The interference element 115 ofthe seal component 106 may couple (e.g., mate) with one or more elements(e.g., elements of the skirt component 102). For example, theinterference element 115 of the seal component 106 may mate with one ormore interference elements 117 of the skirt component 102. The mating ofthe interference elements 115, 117 of the skirt component 102 and theseal component 106 may prevent a movement between the skirt component102 and the seal component 106. For example, the mating of theinterference elements 115, 117 of the skirt component 102 and the sealcomponent 106 may prevent a rotation (e.g., a relative rotation) betweenthe skirt component 102 and the seal component 106. The mating of theinterference elements of the skirt component 102 and seal component 106may establish a friction fit between the skirt component 102 and theseal component 106.

As shown on FIG. 5 , the skirt component 102 may include a sidewall(e.g., inner annular sidewall 109, outer annular sidewall 103), a skirtend wall 172 (FIG. 3 ), and/or interference element 117. The innerannular sidewall 109 may be surrounded by the outer annular sidewall 103of the skirt component 102. For example, the inner annular sidewall 109may be surrounded by the outer annular sidewall 103 of the skirtcomponent 102 so that an annular space 119 (FIG. 8 ) may exist betweenthe inner and outer annular sidewalls of the skirt component 102. In anexample, the skirt end wall 172, the inner annular sidewall 109, and/orthe outer annular sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102 may extenddownward from the skirt end wall 172. The interference element 117 ofthe skirt component 102 may be located on an inner surface of the innerannular sidewall 109 of the skirt component 102. The interferenceelement 115 of the seal component 106 may be located on an outer surfaceof the annular seal sidewall 111.

The seal component 106 may include a seal end wall 134 (FIGS. 3, 6 ).The annular seal sidewall 111 may extend downward from the seal end wall134. The seal end wall 134 may have an annular flange portion 136extending circumferentially beyond the outer surface of the annular sealsidewall 111. In an example, the annular flange portion 136 may engage ashoulder 162 (e.g., an annular shoulder; FIG. 8 ) formed in the innersurface of the inner annular sidewall 109 of the skirt component 102.

As described herein and shown on FIG. 8 , inner annular sidewall 109 maybe surrounded by the outer annular sidewall 103. The outer annularsidewall 103 surrounding the inner annular sidewall 109 may form anannular space 119 between the inner annular sidewall 109 and outerannular sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102. A skirt end wall 172(e.g., an annular skirt end wall) may define an opening 101 (e.g., acentral opening; FIG. 3 ) into the skirt cavity 123. The inner annularsidewall 109 and/or outer annular sidewall 103 of the skirt component102 may extend downward from the skirt end wall 172.

The seal end wall 134 may have a top surface and/or a bottom surface.The annular seal sidewall 111 may extend downward from the bottomsurface of the seal end wall 134. The seal component 106 may be mountedto the skirt component 102. For example, the seal component 106 may bemounted to the skirt component 102 to close the central opening 101 suchthat a top surface of the skirt end wall 172 and the top surface of theseal end wall (e.g., each of a top surface of the skirt end wall and thetop surface of the seal end wall) remain exposed.

The annular seal sidewall 111 of the skirt component 102 may extenddownward. For example, the annular seal sidewall 111 of the skirtcomponent 102 may extend downward beyond a bottom edge of the innerannular sidewall 109 of the skirt component 102. The annular outersidewall 103 of the skirt component 102 may extend downward. Forexample, the annular outer sidewall 103 of the skirt component 102 mayextend downward beyond a bottom edge of the annular seal sidewall 111 ofthe skirt component 102.

As described herein and shown on FIG. 10 , cap 100 may couple tocontainer 120. Container 120 may include a container body 140. Containerbody 140 may include a body portion 132 and/or a neck 124. Body portion132 may define a chamber, such as a chamber for holding a product (e.g.,a product chamber). In examples the body portion 132 of the containerbody 140 may be a thermoformed bottle. Neck 124 of container body 140may have a threaded outer surface. In examples the neck 124 may beformed of a plastic material, although other examples may include neck124 being formed of one or more materials, such as plastic, metal, andthe like. Neck 124 may define a passageway, such as passageway 126.Passageway 126 may be configured to allow a material to flow into theproduct chamber.

Cap 100 may be coupled to the container body 140. For example, cap 100may be coupled to the container body 140 via threaded engagement betweenthe threaded surface (e.g., outer surface) of the neck 124 of thecontainer and the threaded surface (e.g., inner surface 108) of the cap100. The coupling of cap 100 and container body 140 may result in sealcomponent 106 sealing the passageway 126. In examples the neck 124 maybe located within (e.g., at least partially located within) the neckcavity 113 of the cap 100.

The container body 140 may include a shoulder portion 122. The neck 124of the container may extend upward from the shoulder portion 122. Inexamples a bottom edge of annular outer wall 103 of the skirt component102 may be adjacent the shoulder portion 122 of the container body 140.The body portion 132 of the container body 140 may be a collapsibletube, a container (such as a rigid or semi-rigid container), and thelike. Container body 140 may include a multi-layer structure, such as amulti-layer laminate structure. A bottom end of the container (e.g.,collapsible tube) may be sealed. The neck 124 of the container may becoupled to a top end of the collapsible tube.

FIG. 10 shows a multi-layer structure 150 of an example container. Themulti-layer structure may be extrusion blow molded as a tube. As shownon FIG. 10 , the shoulder 122 of the container (e.g., tube) may comprisea neck (such as neck 124). The neck 124 may have a passageway 126 andthreads 128 for the attachment of a closure article, such as cap 100.The multi-layer structure 150 may include two or more layers. Forexample, the multi-layer structure 150 may include at least twocoextruded layers. The multi-layer structure 150 may include a pluralityof layers, such as a plurality of coextruded layers. The plurality oflayers may include an innermost layer 152, a first interdisposed layer154, and/or an outermost layer 158. In examples, the plurality of layersmay include a second interdisposed layer 156 disposed between the firstinterdisposed layer 154 and the outermost layer 158.

In examples, the first interdisposed layer 154 may be disposed betweenthe innermost layer 152 and the outermost layer 158. An adhesive layer153 may be disposed between the innermost layer 152 and the firstinterdisposed layer 154. An adhesive layer 155 may be disposed betweenthe first interdisposed layer 154 and the second interdisposed layer156. The second interdisposed layer 156 and the outer layer 158 may befused together, for example, by melting (e.g., partially melting) themat an interface. The second interdisposed layer 156 and the outer layer158 may include the same material and/or may be formed together during aco-extrusion process. A layer of the multi-layer structure may functionas a barrier layer. For example, any one or more of the inner layer 152,first interdisposed layer 154, second interdisposed layer 156, andoutermost layer 158 may function as a barrier layer. In an example, thefirst interdisposed layer may function as a flavor barrier, an oxygenbarrier, or both. In an example, the innermost layer 152, the secondinterdisposed layer and/or the outermost layer 158 may function as amoisture barrier.

The container and/or cap may be part of a packaged product. For example,a packaged product may include the container, the cap, and/or a materialin the product chamber of the container. The material may be an oralcare material, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, or the like. The packagedproduct may be secured (e.g., wrapped) for transit, storage, sale, andthe like. The container and the cap may be coupled such that thecomponents of the cap remain intact, the cap and container remainintact, and/or the material stored in the container remains within thecontainer.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventionshould be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

1. A cap for a container, the cap comprising: a skirt component formedof a metal material, the skirt component comprising an annular outersidewall defining a skirt cavity that extends along a skirt axis and hasan open bottom end; and a seal component formed of a plastic material,the seal component comprising an annular seal sidewall having a threadedinner surface configured to mate with a threaded outer surface of a neckof a container body, the annular seal sidewall defining a neck cavityhaving a closed top end and an open bottom end for receiving the neck ofthe container; wherein the seal component is mounted to the skirtcomponent and located within the skirt cavity so that the annular outersidewall of the skirt component circumscribes the annular seal sidewallof the seal component.
 2. The cap according to claim 1 wherein the skirtcomponent is a stamped metal material component; and wherein the sealcomponent is an injection molded plastic material component.
 3. The capaccording to claim 1 wherein the seal component is injection moldedseparately and friction fit into the skirt component.
 4. The capaccording to claim 1 wherein each of the skirt component and the sealcomponent is a singular monolithic component.
 5. The cap according toclaim 1 further comprising: the skirt component comprising a firstinterference element; and the seal component comprising a secondinterference element that mates with the first interference element ofthe skirt component.
 6. The cap according to claim 5 wherein the matingof the first and second interference elements of the skirt and sealcomponent prevents relative rotation between the skirt component and theseal component and establishes a friction fit between the skirtcomponent and the seal component.
 7. The cap according to claim 5further comprising: the skirt component comprising: an inner annularsidewall that is surrounded by the outer annular sidewall so that anannular space exists between the inner and outer annular sidewalls ofthe skirt component; and a skirt end wall, the inner and outer annularsidewalls of the skirt component extending downward from the skirt endwall; wherein the first interference element of the skirt component islocated on an inner surface of the inner annular sidewall of the skirtcomponent; and wherein the second interference element of the sealcomponent is located on an outer surface of the annular seal sidewall.8. The cap according to claim 7 wherein the seal component furthercomprises a seal end wall, the annular seal sidewall extending downwardfrom the seal end wall, and the seal end wall having an annular flangeportion extending beyond the outer surface of the annular seal sidewall,the annular flange portion engaging an annular shoulder formed in theinner surface of the inner annular sidewall of the skirt component. 9.The cap according to claim 1 further comprising: the skirt componentcomprising: an inner annular sidewall that is surrounded by the outerannular sidewall so that an annular space exists between the inner andouter annular sidewalls of the skirt component; and an annular skirt endwall defining a central opening into the skirt cavity, the inner andouter annular sidewalls of the skirt component extending downward fromthe skirt end wall; the seal component comprising a seal end wall havinga top surface and a bottom surface, the annular seal sidewall extendingdownward from the bottom surface of the seal end wall; and the sealcomponent mounted to the skirt component to close the central openingsuch that each of a top surface of the skirt end wall and the topsurface of the seal end wall remain exposed.
 10. The cap according toclaim 9 wherein the annular seal sidewall of the skirt extends downwardbeyond a bottom edge of the inner annular sidewall of the skirtcomponent.
 11. The cap according to claim 9 wherein the annular outersidewall of the skirt component extends downward beyond a bottom edge ofthe annular seal sidewall of the skirt component.
 12. A containercomprising: a container body having: a body portion defining a productchamber; a neck having a threaded outer surface, the neck defines apassageway into the product chamber; a cap according to claim 1; the capcoupled to the container body via threaded engagement between thethreaded outer surface of the neck and the threaded inner surface of thecap so that the seal component seals the passageway, the neck at leastpartially located within the neck cavity of the cap.
 13. The containeraccording to claim 12 wherein the container body further comprises ashould portion, the neck extending upward from the shoulder portion, abottom edge of annular outer wall of the skirt component adjacent theshoulder portion of the container body.
 14. The container according toclaim 12 wherein the body portion of the container body is collapsibletube comprising a multi-layer laminate structure, wherein a bottom endof the collapsible tube is sealed and the neck is coupled to a top endof the collapsible tube.
 15. The container according to claim 14 whereinthe multi-layer laminate structure comprises an innermost layer, a firstinterdisposed layer, second interdisposed layer, a first interdisposedlayer, and an outermost layer.
 16. The container according to claim 12wherein the body portion of the container body is a thermoformed bottle.17. The container according to claim 12 wherein the neck is formed of aplastic material.
 18. A packaged product comprising: the containeraccording to claim 12; and an oral care material in the product chamber.19. The packaged product according to claim 18 wherein the oral carematerial is a toothpaste.
 20. The packaged product according to claim 18wherein the oral care material is a mouthwash.